ShareThisDear Professor Bruce: When I left the corporate world and began my own business, I had no idea how many details I would have to deal with. What are some ways to manage my time and the stress that comes as a result of being pulled in a thousand directions at once?Answer: One of the biggest surprises that comes to someone leaving the corporate world and entering that of an entrepreneur is just how much there is to do . . . and there is no one else who is going to do it for you. It can easily become both a source of frustration and overwhelm, taking you away from what the passion that brought you here in the first place. In order to keep yourself focused, Janet Neal of The Professional Women's Center in Montclair, N.J. has these tips:1) Focus. What is your No. 1 priority? If you can identify this (and in a business, it's usually to make the money to sustain it!), you can always use that as a guide.2) Prioritize. Use a system which helps you decide what absolutely needs to be done today, what could wait till tomorrow and what could wait until whenever you get to it. Try not to have more than 4 or 5 items on your "absolutely needs" list -- in reality you probably won't get more than that done.3) Limit interruptions. Know when is your quiet time and when is your busy time. Separate tasks into those that need undivided attention and those that could be put down and picked up later. If necessary, find a quiet spot away from the office to tackle more grueling tasks where you really need your focus. Libraries or even hotel rooms work well for these needs.4) Value your time. Understand that even though you may be able to do a particular task, is it really worth your time? Farm out those things which could be easily and more cost effectively be done by someone else and retain that which is central to your business.5) Breathe. Don't forget to take the time to relax and recharge. A five-minute break will help rejuvenate you and get your mind back on track.For further information, please visit www.thepwcinc.com Bruce Freeman is president of ProLine Communications, a marketing and public relations firm in Livingston, NJ and co-author of Birthing the Elephant (Ten Speed Press). E-mail questions to Bruce(at)SmallBusinessProf.com.
Stress-less tips for new entrepreneurs
Submitted by SHNS on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 12:42
Paying taxes unites us. It also divides us. People can pay five and even six times more in state and local taxes than other folks in similar circumstances making similar incomes.
Who's got your number?
In one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft, crooks are stealing tax refunds by swiping personal information and using it to trick the Internal Revenue Service.
